EAL and UKBIC collaborate to launch ground-breaking battery manufacturing qualification

A brand-new EAL qualification is charging ahead to help meet the UK’s growing demand for skilled workers in battery manufacturing and electric vehicle (EV) production.

Developed in collaboration with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry, the Level 2 Award in Battery Manufacturing aims to support thousands to upskill into roles within the fast-expanding battery sector.

This new qualification provides the ideal first step into the industry for learners aged 16 and over, offering a practical, hands-on curriculum designed by battery manufacturing experts and informed by real-life experience from UKBIC. Higher-level qualifications will follow later in the year, creating a pathway into long-term, high-value careers.

The qualification was announced at a launch event held at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre on Wednesday 4 June. Attendees heard from Minister for Nature, Coventry East MP, Mary Creagh CBE, who spoke about Coventry’s history at the cutting edge of manufacturing, and the importance of this qualification and battery manufacturing to the sector.

Alison Parkes, Managing Director at EAL, said: “The electrification of the World through brilliant battery innovation and industrialisation, is being led right here in the UK. EAL’s initiative, to develop and introduce this brand-new qualification, will help ensure that industry and the nation as a whole, reaps the rewards.

“Thousands of young people will be required to enter the sector in the next ten years, and we will help start them on their route to a rewarding and valued career. Those already working in automotive may well need to upskill to work in the ever-evolving EV production.”

By 2040, the UK’s battery industry will require nearly 500,000 skilled workers across EV production, gigafactories, and the wider supply chain. According to the Faraday Institution’s UK Gigafactory Outlook 2024:

• Four new gigafactories are needed by 2030, each taking over 30 months to complete and ramp up to full output.
• More than 170,000 people will be needed in EV production roles.
• An estimated 35,000 workers will be employed in gigafactories, supported by 65,000 across the supply chain.

Jonty Deeley-Williamson, Head of Learning & Development at UKBIC, commented: “We’re delighted to have helped develop this important qualification for the battery industry. The content, put together using real life experiences at UKBIC and curated by experts in battery manufacturing, was created in response to the growing demand for skilled workers.

This new qualification will provide a structured curriculum, enabling trainees to confidently step into battery manufacturing roles with industry-approved skills and experience.”

UKBIC is the UK’s £200 million battery manufacturing scale-up facility, serving some of the biggest names in automotive, transport, and energy. The site provides a secure, state-of-the-art environment for companies to trial and industrialise battery technologies.

This latest qualification reflects EAL’s continued commitment to supporting industry transformation through quality-assured, employer-driven learning.

More about this qualification